Flashing plug



March 1 1927' N. ABRAMSON FLASHING PLUG Filed March 6, 1,925

STEEL BR/qss IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

NATHAN ABRAMSON, F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

FLASHING PLUG.

Application filed March 6, 1926. Serial No. 92,863.

This invention relates to thermostatic switching apparatus, and more particularly has reference to devices adapted for intermittently flashing lamps, or the like, such as electric signs, or advertising devices.

Devices of the kind described herein are known in the trade as plugs and are usually made of a large cumbersome size. The object of this invention is to provide a ther- 1 mostatic switching apparatus'or plug of small size.

A further object of this invention is to provide a thermostatic plug wherein the thermostat is easily removable for adjusting l5 and repairing.

A further object is to provide a single removable member adapted to support all elements necessary in operating the flasher.

The invention will be more fully under- 29 stood in connection with the description of the accompanying drawing, wherein- Fig. 1, is a view of my improved plug.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the thermostatic element.

I shall show and describe my invention as used in connection with incandescent electric lamps, but it is obvious that it is equally well adapted for any other use where the periodic opening and closing of an electric cir- 30 cuit is desired.

As shown 1, represents the inner shell, preferably of brass, 2 represents the lower portion of the shell, somewhat narrower than the portion 1, forming a shelf 3.

The lower portion of the shell 2, is formed into a cup shape 4, stopping short as at 5, leaving an opening 6.

Both the upper and lower shells of the plug are threaded.

lVithin the shell 1, and against the shelf 3, I arran e a fiber washer 8. This washer is punche then riveted with a large rivet 9 which is flush at both sides with the fiber washer. The rivet 9 is then tapped and a 46 screw 10 inserted therein.

The screw 10 is mainly for the purpose of securing supporting member 11, to the washer 8. The supporting member is made of insulating material as canvas bakelite.

The other end of the member 11 is tapped and a long screw 12 secured therein. A thermostat switch 13 apertured near one end tits over the screw 12, and is held fast against the supporting member 11 by means of a nut 14.

The screw 12 projects beyond the shell 2 and through a sleeve 15 and is held fast at the end by means of a nut 16. The space between the shell 2 and sleeve 15 is filled with insulating material 17.

The thermostatic switch 13, which is of the composite or bi-metal type is turned at right-angles at 18 so as to save space and terminates with in a short distance of the fiber washer 8. An asbestos cover 19, is arranged around a portion of the thermostat 13 and acts as an insulator for the wire 20 wound around the insulator and touching the bare thermostat at 21.

A screw 22 is arranged and set within the member 11, and is so arranged that it touches the screw 10 and is of such a length that it almost touches the thermostatic element 13.

The adjusting screw 22, can be rotated and be brought in and away from the thermostatic element and thus causing a variance in the time element of the flasher.

The other end of the wire 20 is turned around and fastened to the lower part of screw 22.

The tip of the screw 22 and the thermostatic element have inlaid silver points 24;, 25 so as to prevent arcing.

The port-ion of the shell indicated by numeral 1, is enclosed by a fiber cylinder 26.

The numeral 27 represents an opening for adjusting screw 22.

In operation when the plug is secured in its socket, the current will pass through the screw 12, then through thermostatic element 13, and since the switch is opened at 24, 25 the current will travel through, the resistance wire 20, then through screw 22, screw 10 and then through the filament of the lamp (not shown) then through the shell 1 and 2 and back to the generator.

The wire 20 being of a high resistance the current in flowing through same causes it to be heated, and in turn the thermostatic ele- 1 0 ment 13 is heated. The current after flowing through the resistance wire flows through the filament.

The heating of the thermostatic element 13 causes it to turn upwards and making 105 contact at 24, 25.

As soon as the above contact is made, the total current instead of traversing the resistance wire 20, divides and most of it traverses the element 13 and then through screw 22 etc., thus allowing the element 13 ,to cool and contract and disconnect at 24, 25 causing the light and dark or flashing of the lamp (not shown).

Having thus described my invention, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure b Letters Patent, is

1. In a ashing plug, a supporting member, a means for electrical connection with a lamp arranged at one end of the supporting member, a thermostatic switch, an adjusting means in metallic contact with the first mentioned means and in close proximity to the thermostatic switch.

2. In a device of the class described, a supporting member, a thermostatic switch depending from said supporting member, a cross member, a screw to hold the supporting memberand cross member in fixed relation. an adjusting screw in metallic contact with the first mentioned screw and in close proximity to the thermostatic switch.

3. In a device of the class described, a supporting member, a thermostatic switch depending from said supporting member, a longitudinal screw in said supporting member, a transverse screw in said supporting member and projecting in close proximity to said thermostatic switch and in contact with said longitudinal screw.

4. A flashing plug, comprising, a tubular conducting shell having one end formed for" insertion lnto an outlet socket to electrically connect said shell and the socket on one side of the circuit, an insulating supporting member within the shell carrying a center contact for the other side of the circuit, a thermostat mounted on one end of said supporting member and extending longitudinal- 1y within said shell with its other end free to vibrate with changes in temperature, said thermostat being electrically connected to said center contact, a heating coil controlled by the movement of the thermostat for intermittently heating the thermostat, an adjusting screw arranged in the supporting memher in close proximity to the thermostat and in electrical connection with the heating coil, a metallic member one end of which is in contact with the adjusting screw and the other end adapted for electrical connection with a lamp to be flashed, said shell constituting the other circuit connection of the lamp to be flashed.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 3rd day of March, A. D. 1926.

NATHAN ABRAMSON. 

